Sunscreens Not Created Equal: Consumer Reports

May 24, 2013 -- In its new sunscreen ratings evaluation, Consumer Reports found that paying more for sunscreen doesn't always mean better protection.

"Some of our best products were also the least expensive," says Nicole Sarrubbo, associate editor for Consumer Reports.

Up & Up Sport SPF 50, from Target, got top honors in these latest ratings, and is one of the least expensive products tested.

Some of the pricier sunscreens, in fact, did not live up to the SPF (sun protection factor) value on the label, the testers found. Two sunscreens -- All Terrain AquaSport SPF 30 and Badger Unscented SPF 34 -- were rated poor in protecting against UVB rays.

Top Sunscreens This Year

Consumer Reports regularly rates sunscreens, and this time picked 12 popular products from a variety of stores. They took into account protection from UVA and UVB, how much the product stained clothing, and the cost per ounce.

Six got recommended ratings:

Target's Up & Up Sport, at the top spot, costs $1.16 an ounce.

Walmart's Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50, is just 47 cents an ounce. It won the CR Best Buy award of the dozen.

Badger Unscented SPF 34, at $5.52 an ounce (discontinued, but may still be available).

All Terrain AquaSport SPF 30, at $4.33 an ounce.

More Sunscreen Results

Sunscreens were tested in lab tests and on people in the lab, using a sun simulator. Testers were observed for sunburn to gauge UVB effectiveness and were observed for tanning to evaluate UVA protection.